I saw that too and couldn't agree more..AWFUL! CUTS? From the Dems. & next I suppose that they will give in & give the GOP the Bush Tax Cuts too?

I thought for sure that the GOP wanted those tax cuts soooo bad that We would keep the current UI benefits & also gain HR589 or NO DEAL..I have been calling about this. IT sux though, the house is already not in session again...What is Washington thinking with only 2 weeks left before current deal expires..

Where's everybody at? Did they all find work. I mean it seems like I see less & less comments and people signed in. Maybe the reason we are not getting any help is because they all found work now? Seems like CA is still tough. I havent had an interview since oct.of 2011 and I prob. apply for about 8 positions a week

Marian Ours is acutally the 2nd highest. I believe that Nevada has had and still does have the highest.

I got 2 responses from Diane Feinstein after sending numerous emails and calls. While it was nice to see she supports UI benefits she still didn't answer my question as to why she along with other dems will not acknowledge the Exhaustees or 99ers? Below are the emails I received.

Dear Steve: I received your letter and want to thank you for sharing your support for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. I recognize this is a vital issue for you and many Californians.

I am moved by many of the personal stories I have heard from hard-working Californians who want a job but simply cannot find one. UI benefits are crucial in providing assistance to unemployed individuals while they search for employment. Additional measures are necessary to create jobs and assist the unemployed, especially while the unemployment rate in California remains well above the national average.

I share your belief that Congress must protect these benefits. I want you to know that I sent a letter to Senators Harry Reid (D-NV) and Max Baucus (D-MT), Senate Majority Leader and Senate Finance Committee Chairman, respectively, urging them to support continuing a full extension of emergency assistance to the 11 states where the unemployment rate is above 10 percent. I have attached a copy of this letter for your review.

Since the economic downturn began in 2008, Congress has enacted several measures that I have supported related to UI benefits. As you may know, on December 23, 2011, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-74) was signed into law. This law continues emergency unemployment insurance benefits through February 29, 2012, which will provide an estimated 1.1 million unemployed Californians with help paying for basic needs as they look for a new job. Congress is now working to craft legislation to provide a longer extension, likely for the full year, of federal unemployment benefits before the current extension expires at the end of February.

Please know that I appreciate hearing your support for continuing these critical benefits and will keep your comments in mind as the Senate debates UI benefits. I will continue to do everything I can at the federal level to create more employment opportunities for Californians. Again, thank you for writing. It is helpful for me to know where you stand on these important issues. Should you have further questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841. Best regards. Sincerely yours,Dianne Feinstein United States Senator Further information about my position on issues of concern to California and the nation are available at my website, Feinstein.senate.gov. You can also receive electronic e-mail updates by subscribing to my e-mail list. Click here to sign up. And please visit my YouTube, Facebook and Twitter for more ways to communicate with me.

Dear Steve:

Thank you for your letter. Your correspondence is important to me, and I appreciate the opportunity to respond.

Like you, I am very concerned about the slow economic recovery in California. Creating more jobs must be our top priority this year. You may be interested to know that the Bureau of Labor Statistics recently reported that the unemployment rate in California has fallen to 11.1%, the lowest level in three years. Although there is still a way to go before the economy has fully stabilized and is growing again, I believe that we are moving in the right direction.

I support the "American Jobs Act," President Obama's proposed jobs bill. Economists have projected the President's package, if implemented fully, would create as many as 1.9 million jobs nationwide, lowering the unemployment rate by one percent and increasing the country's gross domestic product (GDP) between 0.7 – 2%. On October 10, 2011, I voted in favor of the motion to invoke cloture, a procedure used to advance legislation, on proceeding to consider the "American Jobs Act" in the Senate. However, Senate Republicans uniformly voted against cloture for this bill and the motion was rejected by a vote of 50-49.

In light of this vote, Senator Reid has begun to introduce the "American Jobs Act" as a series of smaller bills. I am a proud cosponsor of the "Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act" (S. 1723) and the "Rebuild America Jobs Act" (S. 1769). These bills would provide aid to states to retain millions of teachers and first responders during difficult budgetary times.

On December 23, 2011 President Obama signed into law legislation that authorizes an extension of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) through December 31, 2012 (Public Law 112-56). Passed with my vote in support, this provision allows businesses to claim a WOTC when they hire veterans who were unemployed for six months to a year, or disabled veterans who were discharged from active duty within the past year. This law will also improve the transition of veterans to civilian employment by providing more on-the-job training, mentoring and apprenticeship opportunities.

Please know that I appreciate hearing your thoughts and will continue to do all I can to create jobs and turn around the economy. Should you have any additional questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841. Best regards. Sincerely yours,

Dianne Feinstein United States Senator

Further information about my position on issues of concern to California and the Nation are available at my website, Feinstein.senate.gov. You can also receive electronic e-mail updates by subscribing to my e-mail list. Click here to sign up. Feel free to checkout my YouTube

These both came in response from sending MaryKays Letter. I know that both Boxer & Feinstein support UI...I just wish they would support help for the Exhaustees or 99ers

I understand on a certain level that politicians may not be able to respond personally and individually to each letter or email, but they do have staffers, and we do count. Here in Wisconsin, I cannot even get any response from anyone. People around me put democrats on a cannot do wrong view. I used to believe in the democrat party. About 12 years ago I realized both parties are just full of people who care little about people other than those they are sure will vote for them and even then their own self interest is what drives them. I have tried not to complain but I am not able to sugar coat things. I am at a dead end and very very scared of what is next for me. I feel like I am left all alone with a way out of failure. I pray that we all get opportunities to survive. J

Last edited by wausauguy on Fri Feb 10, 2012 12:24 am; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : typo)

Wasauguy...I understand where your coming from & if those are the kinds of acknowledgement letters (ROBO Letters) our CA senators are sending out, well then..They might as well not even do it. Besides the letters didn't answer my question at all about whether or not they support benefits for Exhaustees or 99ers? My belief, they don't.

I too am at a dead end and as of lately cannot even sleep at night. I survive on $200 EBT card, and live with my old roomate from when I actually did pay rent, and Finally after 2 1/2 years of not paying for anything she is in a bind herself and I am going to be forced to prob. find someplace else to stay? Don't know where? NO car, it was re-poed, no family, and since I've been unemployed pretty much no friends left either..they all pretty much bailed and said I could work If I wanted to? Well I do, & I do look but NOTHING! I havent even had an interview since oct. 2011. I guess it's not much consolation but, know that there are others too that are praying that we all get the opportunities to survive.

P.s. R u in Wisconsin? I grew up in the U.P. of Michigan and spent a lot of time giong to WI.

superstevies... first I am curious what is behind the superstevies name...(what does it stand for)?

Yes I am from Wisconsin...

And thank you for taking the time to write a message. I hope Idid not come across as though I think I am the "only one." Sometimes it does feel that way though. I do however have great compassion for everyone hanging on.

I am sorry to hear that you have found friends bail on you and such. I have always been the helper so now well it is really hard to be the one who needs help. I am getting by and that is something I recognize that I should be thankful for.

I feel as you said that people "think" I have not really applied for jobs or something. Well... I have taken temp things, part-time low pay only to have them end anyway, not by my doing. And I really have not had anything really steady for 3 years. Lots of stress.. but not a real job.

I so often feel like I would like to just crawl into the corner and rock myself, I mean the hurt, disappointments, and rejections have become the norm. It hurts when I hear self-help gurus speak because then it feels like I am to blame for my own situation. I certainly take responsibility, but it is not fair to lay blame or point fingers. And, my views have somewhat changed, it is a huge lesson to have learned but "hard-work" "diligence" "responsibility" on and on have their merits but they do not guarantee fair results.

I keep asking that the universe help us with opportunities. I believe it will happen. I will hang on and I hope everyone else is able to hold on as well and gets the opportunities that are so needed.

Wausa...Nothing really exciting behind my screename. My friends nephew calls me that & so I just went with it for a screename.No worries, You didn't come across as I though you were the "only one" I was simply saying you have a lot of people that can walk a mile in your shoes or even simpler...."We know how you feel" It SUX & so far not getting a whole lot better even though every time I turn on the news it touts how many jobs were added & now much fewer people have applied for UI benefits and how the Unemployment numbers keep shrinking. Well call me crazy but 11% in CA is not good! Also I do think people are getting jobs, but NOT THE EXHAUSTEES or 99ers. We seem to be like rotting fruit, and what do most people do with that? thow it out! Well my grandma used to make banana bread with yucky looking bananas lol.I guess bottom line, I think of this site as thearapy since I can no longer afford it. It's comforting to know that there are other people out there in the same crappy situation I am. I will just keep on, keep'n on! & hopefully my number will come up soon.Have a great day, Steve